Monsoon rain related road accidents took 173 lives in HP

The South-West Monsoon wreak havoc in the State took more than 173 lives in the State during this monsoon season as more than 153 people were killed in road related accidents alone and 20 others due to flash floods. This was announced by the State Secretary Revenue Tarun Shridhar in a monsoon review meeting presided by the Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh today. Moreover 124 cattle heads died including sheep, goat, cows, buffalos and horses etc. and damaging vast network of road including National Highway, State, district and rural roads, besides bridges and culverts has been assessed to Rs. 291 Crore.

The water and irrigation schemes rendered the estimated loss is Rs. 80 Cr. and Rs 3 Cr. three crore to the electricity infrastructure. He said that total damage and loss has been assessed to Rs. 380 crores. More than 280 roads were damaged and blocked during last 2-3 days out of which 200 would be opened today. He said that about 740 schemes of IPH have been damaged out of which 540 have been restored. The Director Horticulture informed that apple transportation is smooth and more than 19 lakh apple boxes have been sent to various markets from the State.

The representative from IMD briefed about the rainfall in the State and mentioned that there may be heavy rainfall in next five days with very heavy rains in isolated places. He was directed to disseminate now forecast on daily basis. The Chief Minister said that there should be proper and immediate dissemination of warning and alerts and all the block roads to be reopened on war footing and alternate routes to be operationalized with continues monitoring. He said that IPH water pipe lines should be restored in coordination whenever any damage is caused so that there would be no inconvenience to general public.

He directed Agriculture and Horticulture departments to access the loss and damage due to heavy rains. He said that all department should prepare and update memorandum of losses so that same is complied at State level and could be sent timely to the Central Government. He directed Health department to conduct special drive for prevention of epidemics and water borne diseases and keep on reviewing any such incidence and take corrective measures immediately. Mr. Singh directed to maintain inventory of search and rescue equipment and train manpower. He said that quick response teams (QRT) should be made operational in all the districts.

He said that all the Deputy Commissioners should ensure that all roads are kept open and assess the damage to the public and private property. He said that tourist and general public should be stopped at district headquarters whenever any major road is blocked and no chaos to be created on highways. Chief Minister said that all hydel power project authorities should ensure that no water should be released from reservoirs without prior warning. He said that they should ensure proper dissemination of warning and alerts at least 24 hours before releasing of water from dams and reservoirs. He said that Rs. 64 crore had been released to Deputy Commissioners and stakeholders departments such as PWD, IPH, Electricity etc. for immediate restoration work and more funds would be provided on need basis.